A short section of road in Beacon Hill Park that allows access to a main washroom is expected to reopen to vehicles soon.
Councillors have directed staff to reopen Bridge Way to vehicles. The road provides access to the washroom from an entrance at Heywood Way and Park Boulevard.
The road had been used for one-way traffic. City staff reported back to councillors Thursday on the impacts of opening the road to two-way vehicle traffic, which includes the removal of an existing path for pedestrians and cyclists to make room for drivers. Removing the path for pedestrians and cyclists would likely decrease comfort for those users, staff said.
Once it’s reopened, motorists will be able to drive into the park to the main washroom, where there will be a turnaround area for vehicles to exit. The changes would provide two or three accessible parking stalls and a pedestrian loading zone near the washroom.
The city closed all the roads in the park to motor vehicles last year to make space for physical distancing, but council eased the ban in November after complaints. About half the roads remain closed to vehicles, including access to a parking lot closest to the playground and a main washroom, prompting concerns from people with mobility problems and those who prefer to enjoy the park in a vehicle.
Beacon Hill Park has about 330 parking stalls in four lots. There is additional street parking on Douglas Street, Cook Street and Dallas Road.
Councillors plan to work with the disability community to provide access to park amenities while reducing the effects of cars on all park users.
